Showing posts with label Rock Fusion Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rock Fusion Reviews. Show all posts

1/18/2015

Rock Fusion Review: Dave Matthews Band-Recently – Two 10” 180 Gram Vinyl EPs

Release Date: November 28, 2014
Label: Legacy

For the vinyl lovers of Earth, Record Store Day is an amazing time filled with limited edition vinyl releases from some of our favorite bands. And not only do we get one day in April, but we get a second day on Black Friday. The Dave Matthews Band has been a part of Record Store Day for a few years now, releasing their Live Trax series in chronological order. However, on Black Friday 2014, DMB rolled out a very special 10” 180 gram vinyl edition of their first EP Recently, along with a second disc containing the hard to find “Pumpkin Recently” Promo EP. It comes in a gatefold jacket with the two different covers, and you will find a download code on the inside so you can get MP3 version of the music as well. A nice little surprise, considering this may be one of the only ways fans will get the Promo EP in any form.

Although many of the songs found on the EP can be heard on their debut album Remember Two Things, there is still plenty to be enjoyed from here from fans and collectors alike. For instance, there are two different edits of the title track. There is a radio edit of “Tripping Billies” that chops nearly 4 minutes off the Remember Two Things version, but still retains what I would consider essential listening material, including Carter Beauford’s phenomenal drum skills. Intimate acoustic versions of “Warehouse” and “Dancing Nancies” show these tracks in some of their earliest incarnations before making the big time on DMB’s major label release Under the Table and Dreaming. Finally, explosive versions of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Halloween” showcase the raw talent of the band even in their earliest days.

Aside from being a cool collector’s item (and the easiest way to snatch up the rare Promo EP), DMB’s vinyl release of Recently is an incredible value. Two 180 gram 10” records, a nice gatefold jacket, an MP3 download code, and over 40 minutes of breathtaking music make this an item fans shouldn’t miss. The price may seem a bit steep, but it is well worth it.

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Halloween, Tripping Billies,  Warehouse

Tracks:
Original EP
01.Recently (Edit 2)
02.Dancing Nancies
03.Warehouse
04.All Along the Watchtower
05.Halloween

Tracks 2 and 3 are live acoustic versions performed by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds.

Promo EP
01.Recently (Radio Edit)
02.Ants Marching (Radio Edit)
03.Tripping Billies (Remember Two Things Radio Edit)
04.The Song That Jane Likes (Radio Edit)

 
Austin Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Contributor
January 18, 2015

Review Provided By Write A Music

7/27/2014

Rock Fusion Review: The Dave Matthews Band-Remember Two Things (Expanded)

Release Date: June 17, 2014
Label: Legacy

The Dave Matthews Band is one of those groups that simply cannot be compared to anyone else. Their unique blend of funk, jazz, and rock has been captivating audiences for over two decades. It all began with 1993’s independently released album Remember Two Things, which has been reissued to celebrate the debut that got the ball rolling for these legendary musicians.

The album kicks off with an early version of one of their most recognizable tunes, “Ants Marching.” Many of the songs you will find on this album are older versions of tracks found on their major label debut Under the Table and Dreaming (UTTAD), while others are staples of the set lists that you will find on their numerous live records, such as “Seek Up” and “The Song That Jane Likes.” Remember Two Things truly sets the stage for DMB’s future, with most of the songs being live recordings. And in trademark DMB fashion, this album is full of jams, funky breakdowns à la “Recently,”  with Carter Beauford’s frantic drumming, Boy Tinsley’s frantic violin sections, and LeRoi Moore’s groundbreaking saxophone playing.

After you think you’ve heard all the craziness the Dave Matthews Band has to offer, the album ends with two live acoustic tracks. “I’ll Back You Up” and “Christmas Song” (both featuring Tim Reynolds) show the versatility of Dave Matthews as a songwriter. This reissue also comes with two bonus tracks that anyone, especially the diehards, will appreciate – early versions of “Pay For What You Get” and “Typical Situation,” the latter which clocks in almost two minutes longer than the standard version found on UTTAD. 

Although the album stands alone as a fantastic release, I believe it is only a stepping stone into the DMB world. Hearing how tracks like “One Sweet World” and “Seek Up” sounded in their earliest renditions is breathtaking, considering how much the songs how evolved over years of playing them live. The included bonus songs are wonderful additions to the track listing also, which makes me wonder why they were even outtakes. For diehards, the reissue of Remember Two Things is a must have. For everyone else, it is a perfect introduction to the band, if you’ve waited this long to delve into their expansive catalog.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Recently, Seek Up, Christmas Song

Tracks: 
01. Ants Marching
02. Tripping Billies
03. Recently
04. Satellite
05. One Sweet World
06. The Song That Jane Likes
07. Minarets
08. Seek Up
09. I'll Back You Up
10. Christmas Song
11. Pay For What You Get
12. Typical Situation

Austin Hannaleck

July 27, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music Review